This book examines the sustainability assessment of biofuel systems by integrating environmental, technical, and economic perspectives. It introduces the principles and methodological frameworks of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and their application to biofuel production and biorefinery systems.

The book covers biomass characteristics and pretreatment, biochemical and thermochemical conversion routes, and the assessment of first-generation biofuels, lignocellulosic bioethanol, biogas, biomethane, biohydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, and algal biofuels. It discusses process simulation, life-cycle modelling, economic evaluation, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence and digital twins for biofuel and biorefinery assessment.

The book also considers certification systems, carbon governance, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and policy frameworks relevant to low-carbon and net-zero biorefineries. Bringing together LCA, TEA, biofuel conversion technologies, and sustainability assessment, it is intended for students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working in bioenergy, biorefineries, environmental assessment, and sustainable energy systems.

Prof. Pradeep Verma

Prof. Pradeep Verma is Professor in the Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, where he has also served as Dean and Head. He received his Ph.D. from Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, in 2002. His subsequent research experience includes a UNESCO Fellowship at the Czech Academy of Sciences, postdoctoral research at Charles University, the UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Germany, and the University of Göttingen under a DFG Fellowship. He has also received JSPS Postdoctoral and Bridge Fellowships for research at Kyoto University, Japan. He previously worked at Reliance Life Sciences, Mumbai, where his research on biobutanol production resulted in several international patents. His research interests include microbial diversity, industrial biotechnology, bioprocess development, bioremediation, and biorefineries based on lignocellulosic and algal biomass.

Dr. Reeta Rani Singhania

Dr. Reeta Rani Singhania is Research Associate Professor at the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Her research interests include microbial and enzyme technology, bioprocess technology, and biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. She holds 13 patents, has edited three books, and has authored or co-authored more than 150 publications, including research articles, book chapters, and conference papers. Her recognitions include the BRSI Women Scientist Award, DBT Bioscience Energy Overseas Fellowship, IFIBiop Young Scientist Award, AU-CBT Excellence Award from BRSI, Elsevier Best Paper Award, and Bioresource Technology Most Cited Paper Award. She has served as guest editor for special issues of international journals and is an editorial board member of Bioresource Technology and the Journal of Energy and Environmental Sustainability.

Prof. Ashok Pandey

Prof. Ashok Pandey is Distinguished Scientist at the Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, and Honorary Executive Director of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, India. He previously served as Eminent Scientist at the Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, Mohali, and as Chief Scientist and Head of the Biotechnology Division and Centre for Biofuels at CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. His research and technology-development interests include industrial and environmental biotechnology, energy biosciences, conversion of biomass to biofuels and chemicals, waste valorization, and industrial enzymes.